Did you know that cats, unlike dogs, are truly carnivores? Classified as obligate carnivore, or “carnivore by necessity,” cats cannot survive without meat. They require the amino acid taurine, vitamin A, and arachidonic acid, all of which cannot be found in plant materials but are found in meats. So although they can certainly dine on plants, cats cannot remain in good health with a vegetarian diet (at least not without adding synthetic sources of the nutrients mentioned above). They must eat meat. With so many cat foods to choose from, you might wonder which animal products best suit cats’ nutritional needs, particularly their need for protein. What are the best protein sources for cats? Let’s find out . . .
Did you know that modern domestic cats live much longer than their ancestors? According to a 2013 report by the Banfield State of Pet Health, the average lifespan of cats increased by 10% from 2002 to 2012 (source). Today, the average lifespan of an indoor cat ranges from 12 to 16 years.
Spaying and neutering has certainly played a part in this upsurge, and you can’t underestimate the importance of regular preventive checkups with your vet. However, many experts also believe that cats’ improved diets lave lengthened their lifespan. Most modern commercial cat foods contain high-quality protein sources and numerous nutrients, and manufacturers formulate their products to meet all of cats’ nutritional requirements. You can even find foods specifically formulated for different feline life cycles, so you can ensure that your kitten or your elderly cat receive the proteins and nutrients they need.
Why Do Cats Need Protein?
Before we dig into the quality of various protein sources, let’s review why cats need protein at all. Proteins assist with many different aspects of the body, including growth and development. They also benefit the immune system and provide calories to burn. The body can also convert protein to fat (and store it as fat). Finally, protein plays an important role in cats’ structural makeup. Cats require more protein than dogs, possibly because they cannot regulate how quickly their livers break down protein.
Best Protein Sources for Cats
VARIETY
First, it’s important to note that cats’ diets should contain a variety of high-quality protein sources. A diverse diet will provide a greater variety of nutrients and better meet your cat’s nutritional needs, which will help ensure that your cat remains healthy and happy long into the future. In addition, rotating protein sources can help prevent your cat from developing a food allergy. So even as we discuss the best protein sources for cats, remember that veterinarians do not advise you to only feed your cat one or two select proteins. Instead, select a cat food with a bountiful supply of proteins.
AMINO ACIDS & NUTRIENTS
Proteins are comprised of amino acids, which impact their value. Cats must obtain 11 “essential amino acids” from their diet – arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, and taurine – in order to remain in good health. A deficiency of these microscopic components can prove extremely detrimental.
So as you compare your options, searching for the best protein sources for cats, look for ingredients that provide all of these essential amino acids. For example, eggs, fish, poultry, and meat are all “complete proteins,” which means they provide all of the eleven amino acids cats need. Grains, legumes, and vegetables also contain all amino acids (except taurine), but their amino acid profiles are not as well suited for the nutritional needs of cats. In addition, compare the amount of each amino acid provided by a protein source.
Finally, every protein source also contains fat. Look for protein sources that provide omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve your cat’s skin, preventing dryness and flakiness. They can also mitigate the effects of arthritis and improve your cat’s heart health.
DIGESTIBILITY
When we talk about the digestibility of protein sources, we are specifically referring to the amount of digested protein absorbed into the cat’s body. So as you scroll through the ingredient lists of cat foods, make note of the protein sources. Although the label likely won’t provide a measure of digestibility, keep an eye out for ingredients known to have a high biological value (BV). The BV is a measure of the proportion of an absorbed protein of a food that becomes incorporated into the proteins of the consumer’s body. Egg offers the highest BV. Other very digestible protein sources include chicken, fish, and turkey.
TASTE
Of course, you may find that your cat prefers the taste of some protein sources over others, which will make it easier to decide which food to purchase. For example, many cats prefer the milder flavors of egg and chicken, while others are intrigued by less common protein sources, like lamb.
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When reading the label of a cat food product, look for a specific protein (like egg, chicken, or salmon) as the first ingredient. Ideally, you will also see named protein products listed as the second and third ingredients, such as egg product, chicken meal, or salmon meal.
Still desperate to know the best protein sources for cats? We simply encourage you to seek out cat foods with high-quality sources of protein, like eggs, poultry, and fish. You can’t go wrong with these nutritious, wholesome ingredients.
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